What the Rockford Park District leader means is that local taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill when the district wants to build attractions. Instead, private donors, sponsors and grants should pay for new parks and facilities.

The district, for the most part, has stuck to that approach. More than 76 percent of the $23.3 million the district committed to 15 new capital projects over the past three years has come from donations. About 15 percent has come from local taxpayers, including 10 percent from Park District property taxes. The rest was covered by grants.

The list includes well-publicized projects (Nicholas Conservatory and Eclipse Lagoon) and smaller ventures (the award-winning Birds of Prey exhibit at Atwood Center). Nicholas was an $18.2 million combined venture for which local taxpayers contributed 16 percent, or $3 million. Birds of Prey was a $356,500 renovation that relied on 39 percent of its cash from taxpayers.

The district has a more aggressive approach for its latest proposal, a $1.8 million winter activity and golf center at Alpine Hills that would be one of a handful of urban snow parks in the country. Officials hope that 90 percent will come from outside revenue sources; they already have $550,000 in grants and $100,000 in pledges and donations.

Officials are confident that Rockford’s generosity will fill the majority of the gap.

“I haven’t actually been turned down yet, knock on wood,” said Jim Keeling, president of the district’s fundraising arm, the Rockford Park District Foundation.

District officials plan to contract with a private business to operate Alpine Hills and charge a fee to prevent local tax dollars from paying for operations. The contractor could provide rental equipment, such as tubes, skis and snowboards, as well as offer lessons.

Right now, the district contracts with nonprofit First Tee to run golf programs. The fee structure hasn’t been set because the district is tinkering with a variety of winter and summer activities to offer at the park, which is at Larson Avenue and South Alpine Road, up the street from Heartland Community Church.

“We’re trying to hit all demographics, including the economically disadvantaged, so it doesn’t cost you more than $10, $15, maybe $20 tops, to experience a real mountain outdoor winter activity,” said Bob Ford of Landscape Architects & Planners Inc., which is working with the district on the design.